canada



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.- "Jr-G. KERR. AGETYLENE GAS APPARATUS.

Patented Jan. 4,1898.

1- uonms Pwcn: 50.. Puoreum 2 t 6 6 h S W 6 6 h S 2 R R E K G. a. d 0 M 0 W AGETYLENE GAS'APPARATUS.

1 Patented Jan. 4, 1898.

UNiTEn STATES ATENT rricn.

JAMES G. KERR, OF NIAGARA, CANADA, ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY IV. SMITH, OF SAME PLACE, AND CHRISTOPHER FRY, OF COPETOW'N, CANADA.

ACETYLEN E-GAS APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,937, datedFJanuary 4, 1898. .q n io fil d March 15,1397. Serial No. 627,644. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES GRANT KER-R, of the town of Niagara Falls, in the county of W'elland and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented a certain new and Improved Apparatus for the Production and Storage of Acetylene Gas, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide means for replenishing the carbid-supply in the generator without interfering with the generation of gas; second, to provide simple and efficient means for automatically controlling the supply of water to the generator; third, to construct a simple and convenient gas-holder; and it consists, essentially, first, of a generator containing two or more carbidreceptacles and so arranged that one can be shut off and removed from the generator without affecting the generation of gas from the carbid in one or all of the remaining receptacles; second, of a trap-siphon of peculiar construction adapted to be raised and lowered by the rise and fall of the gas-holder, so as to regulate the flow of water from a supply-tank to the generator; third, of a gas-holder provided with a central guide, suitable inlet, outlet, and safety overflow pipes, and an electric alarm to indicate the exhaustion of the holder.

My invention further consists in such details of construction as are hereinafter more specifically described and then definitely claimed. I

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my machine. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the generator at the point X in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the siphon regulating the Waterfeed. Fig. 4: is a perspective detail showing the means of holding the carbid-receptacle support so that one receptacle will be always in position for removal and another below the water-inlet. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing an arrangement for ringing an electric bell when the gas-supply in the holder becomes exhausted.

In Fig. 1, A is the generator, and B the gasholder. The generator is preferably made in two parts 0 and D, the connection between the two being formed by means of the water a seal E.

F is a rod connected to the bottom of the generator and extending upwardly to a point preferably slightly above the top of the same.

G is a base-plate, to which is connected the tube H, the tube and base-plate being slipped down over the rod F, which thus forms a bean ing around which the base-plate may be swung.

I is alarge tube extending nearly to the top of the generator and adapted to contain water. This tube is connected to the base-plate G, so as to surround the tube II.

J is a tube extending upwardly from the center of the top of the generator and closed at its upper end.

K is a tube extending downwardly from the top of the tube J within the tube I and being open at either end.

L and M are concentric cylindrical walls inclosing an annular water-space N. Four pairs of these cylindrical walls are preferably connected to the base-plate G, as shown in Fig. 2.

O is a cylinder open at each end and extending through the top of the generator. This cylinder is of such a size as to be adapted to enter the water-space P is a cylindrical wall connected to the top of the generator outside of and concentric with the cylinder 0, so as to form a water seal.

Q is a sealing-cover having double U shaped walls R R, the latter being adapted to enter the Water-space between the cylinder 0 and the walls P.

S is a gas-jet inserted in the cover Q and communicating with the interior of the gen erator.

T is a pipe forming a communication between the inside of the cylinder 0 and the body of the generator. This pipe is provided with a tap U.

V is a cylinder extending upwardly from the top of the generator and closed at its upper end.

A is a water-supply pipe extending downwardly through the top of the cylinder. I3 is a short pipe connecting this watersupply pipe with the downwardly-eatending pipe C outside the cylinder.

D is an agitator-rod extending downwardly through the water-supp] y pipe A and having an agitator connected to its lower end.

E is a tube closed at its lower end, supported by the agitator, and surrounding the agitator-rod D. The water-supply pipe A enters the upper end of this pipe E and dips below the surface of the water contained therein.

F is a sleeve connected to the tube H and provided with circular cogs G.

H is a pinion suitably journaled and adapt ed to engage with the cogs G. This pinion may be operated bya crank-handle or in any other suitable manner.

I is a guide-pulley suitably journaled and adapted to hold the cogs in gear with the pinion H.

J is a pawl or dog pivoted upon the spindle of the guide-pulley I or in any other convenient place and adapted to engage with the cogs G to retain the sleeve F in any desired position.

K are the carbid-receptacles, which are placed in the space within the cylindrical walls L and M. The carbid could of course be placed directly in these spaces; but the removable receptacles are much more convenient. The tube E may be supported above the level of the carbid-receptacles by any suitable means and the agitator and agitator-rod dispensed with if it be found that no agitation of the carbid is necessary.

Before describing the construction of the gas-holder it will be well to describe briefly the operation of the generator.

Water entering the supply-pipe A enters the tube E and overflowing at the top of the same falls upon the carbid in the receptacle K below it, acetylene gas being thus generated. hen the carbid has become exhausted, the base-plate carrying the carbid receptacles may be swung'through a quarter of a circle by grasping the handle F, attached to the sleeve F, so as to bring a fresh receptacle below the water-supply pipe. In order to insure that the base-plate turns exactly througha quarter-circle, I form grooves a in a boss surrounding the rod F. (See Fig. 4.) Upon the bottom of the generator I form ribs 19, adapted to fit the grooves. From this construction it follows that the ribs engaging with the grooves will hold the base-plate exactly in position and that it may be swung through a quarter of a circle by lifting it slightly and turning it till it again drops into engagement with the ribs. After two carbidreceptacles have become exhausted and the third is swung into position for use the firstusedreceptacleisbelowthe cylinderO. Then by revolving the pinion H the base-plate may be raised till the receptacles are raised to the top of the generator and the cylinder 0 dips into the annular water-space N, thus effectually sealing the receptable below the cover Q from the body of the generator. As the cylinderis raised the tap Uis opened and most of the acetylene gas within the. tube is forced out into the generator. As soon as the receptacles have been raised as far as possible the tap U is closed. Then to consume what small amount of acetylene gasrernains within the cylinder 0 the jet S is opened and lighted and most of the gas still remaining is consumed.

. When it ceases to burn, the cover Q may be lifted and air enters through the jet and mingles with the traces of acetylene gas remaining. By again applying a light to the jet the mixture of gas and air is consumed till at length scarcely a trace of gas is left to escape into the air when the cover is raised. When the cover has been removed off the carbidreceptacle below, it may be lifted out and a receptacle full of fresh carbid inserted in its place. The cover is then replaced and the tap U again opened. The base-plate and receptacles are then lowered to their normal position, the gas from the pipe T serving to fill the cylinder till the water seal is Withdrawn from it and the gas enters freely at its lower end. The cylinder V serves to receive the upperends of the diametrically opposite carbid-receptacle and cylindrical wall ill at the same time that the similar parts of the opposite wall M and receptacle are raised through the cylinder 0.

The gas-holder B consists of the water-tank L and the gas-dome M.

N is the gas-supply pipe, extending from above the level of the water in the tank through the bottom of the holder and thence to the generator.

0 is the gas-exit pipe, extending from above the level of the water in the tank through the bottom of the holder and thence to the place of consumption.

P is a gas-overflow pipe extending through the bottom of the holder nearly to the top of the tank.

Q is a large pipe extending from the top of the gas-dome well down into the water within the water-tank L. If more gas be forcedinto the holder than can be consumed, the bottom of the pipe Q is raised above the surface of the water and the surplus gas passes through the pipe Q" and into the overflow-pipe P to the open air, thus avoiding all damage of smashing the apparatus.

R is a guide-rod extending from the bottom of the water-tank to a frame S, supported by the rods T from the base of the water-tank.

U is a guide-sleeve extending from the top of the gas-dome almost to its lower end, the lower end of the sleeve being held in position by suitable stay-rods. The gas dome will thus be guided in its rise and fall without the use of grooved rollers and guides at the sides of the holder.

V is a water-tank supported by the rods T. This may, if desired, be provided with a watersupply pipe and valve controlled by a float,

as in an ordinary flushing-tank.

A is a siphon, the leg (Z of which reaches almost to the bottom of the tank B. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The leg 6 extends within the pipe 0. The legs fand 9 form a U-shaped water seal, the upper end of the leg f being open to the air and the surface of the water in the tank being above the point at which the leg e is connected with the leg f. Once the siphon has been filled a continual flow is maintained into the pipe 6' and thence to the interior of the generator. If the siphon be raised so that the point of connection between the legs a and f is above the surface of the water within the tank, the flow through the siphon will of course cease with a simple siphon. This would mean that the column of water within the siphon would break and the siphon would not act again until refilled, but the water seal formed by the legs f and g holds sufiicient Water to counterbalance the water in the leg d, and thus prevent the water column from breaking. Instead of connecting the leg 6 to the leg f a small spout might be formed at the point of connection; but I find the present construction most convenient.

B is a cord, one end of which is attached to the siphon A. and the other to the top of the gas-dome M. This cord passes from the siphon over the pulley h, thence down and around a weighted pulley 2', thence over a,

pulley 7', thence around a pulley k,'thence over the pulley in to the top of the gas-dome. These pulleys are all suitably journaled upon the frame S.

n and o are knots or other enlargements formed on the cord 13. The knot n is so located that when the gas-holder is down the knot will be jammed against the pulley t, the weight of which is thus taken by the gasholder, and the siphon permitted to sink, so as to cause a flow of water to the generator. As the gas-holder rises the weighted pulleyi' moves away from the knot 71., and the weight on the pulley, being greater than the weight of the siphon, raises the latter in the tank, so as to decrease and finally stop the flow of water, the knot 0 preventing the siphon being drawn up too far by becoming jammed in the pulley 72. This construction affords a very simple and convenient method of regulating the water-flow to suit the consumption of gas 5 but other devices might be arranged to operate the siphon.

As it is desirable to have some warning when the gas in the holder is becoming exhausted and it is necessary to bring a fresh carbidreceptacle below the waters upply pipe, I prefor to use an electric attachment for ringing a bell, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

A rod 0'' is connected to the top of the gasholder and passes through a hole formed in the frame S. Upon the upper end of this rod are screwed the nuts I), so that their position may be varied in order to give a warning at any desired time.

E is an insulated binding-post carrying a spring p,which is so placed as to come in contact with and be pressed down by the nuts D" when the gasometer falls low enough.

F is a binding-post in electric contact with the frame. Suitable wires are carried from these binding-posts to a battery and bell, so that when the spring is pressed down against the framea contact is made and the bell rung.

From the above description it will be seen that I have devised a very simple and efiective apparatus for the generation of acetylene gas from calcium carbid and that the supply of carbid may be renewed at any time without permitting the gas in the generator to escape.

Many of the parts described in this specification as cylindrical could be made of other shapes in cross-section; but such modifications would of course fall within the scope of my invention. I

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a machine of the class described, a generator having two or more carbid-receptacles therein, in combination with means for isolating one of the receptacles from the gasspace of the generator, so that its contents may be renewed without permitting the gas in the generator to escape, and without necessitating the isolation of the other receptacle, whereby gas may be generated from one re ceptacle while the other is isolated, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a machine of the class described, a generator provided with a gas-space having a carbid-receptacle therein, in combination with a water-chamber surrounding the carbid-receptacle, and a cylinder connected to the generator and adapted to'enter the water-chamber so as to isolate the said receptacle from the gas-space of the generator, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a machine of the class described a generator provided with a gas-space having a carbid-receptacle therein, in combination with concentric walls inclosing an annular water-chamber about the said receptacle; a cylinder extending through the top of the generator and adapted to enter the said waterchamber thereby isolating said carbid-receptacle from the gas-space, and a removable cover for said cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

a. In a machine of the class described, a generator provided with a gas-space having a plurality of carbid-receptacles arranged therein equidistant from its center, and a water-chamber surrounding each of said can bid-receptacles, in combination with acylinder extending through the top of the genera- ICS tor and arranged and adapted to enter, one I at a time, each of the water-spacessurrounding the carbidreceptacles, and a cover for said cylinder, whereby the said cylinder may enter the water-space of any one of the carbid-receptacles and isolate it from the gasspace and the other receptacles, substantially as described.

5. In a machine of the olassdescribed, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for the said cylinder; a base-plate; means for raising and lowering the said base-plate and concentric walls carried by the base-plate so as to form an annular water-chamber surrounding acarbid-space, the said cylinder being of such a size and so located as to be adapted to enter the said annular water-space when the baseplate is raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an openended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder; a base-plate; means for raising, lowering and turning the said base-plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the baseplate so as to form two annular Water-chambers surrounding two carbid-spaces; and a water-supply pipe so located as to be above one carbid-space when the other is below the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder, provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls connected to the top of the generator to form an annular waterchamber within which the outer wall of the cover may lie a base-plate; means for raising, lowering and turning the said base-plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base-plate so as to form two annular waterchambers surrounding two carbid-spaces; and a water-supply pipe so located as to be above one carbid-spacewhen the other is below the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder, provided with U-shaped double walls; concentric walls connected to the top of the generator to form an annular waterchamber within which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet orcock connected with an opening through the cover; a base-plate; means for raising, lowering and turning the said base-plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base-plate so as to form two annular water chambers surrounding two carbid-spaces; and a water-supply pipe so located as to be above one carbid-space when the other is below the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder, provided with U -shaped double walls; concentric walls connected to the top of the generator to form an annular waterchamber within which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet or cook connected with an opening through the cover; a pipe provided with a stop-cock and connecting the interior of the cylinder with the gas-space of the generator, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder provided I with U -shaped double walls; concentric walls connected to the top of the generator to form an annular waterchamber within which the outer wall of the cover may lie; a gas jet or cook connected with an opening through the cover; a pipe provided with a stop-cock and connecting the interior of the cylinder with the gas-space of the generator; a base-plate; means for raising and lowering the said base-plate and con centric walls carried by the base-plate so as to form an annular water-chamber surrounding a carbid-space, the aforesaid cylinder being of such a size and so located as to be adapted to enter the said annular water-space when the base-plate is raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. In a machine of the class described, a generator-comprising a chamber; a base-plate contained therein, and adapted to carry carbid-receptacles; a sleeve or rod connected to the said base-plate, and extendingupwardly through the top of the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the top of the generator and surrounding the said rod or sleeve; and a tube extending upwardly from the baseplate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, and means for raising and lowering said base-plate and its sleeve or rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprisinga chamber; abase-plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbid-receptacles; a sleeve connected to the said base plate and extending upwardly through the top of the generator; a rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending upwardly through the said sleeve; a tube extending downwardly from the baseplate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, and meansfor raising and lowering said base-plate and its sleeve or rod, sub stantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber; a base-plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbid-receptacles; a sleeve connected to the said base-plate and extending upwardly there from to the outside of the generator; a rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending upwardly through the said sleeve; a large tube with a closed top extending upwardly from the top of the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the opening in the top of the tube through which the said sleeve passes; and a tube extending upwardly from the base-plate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

14. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber; a base-plate contained therein and adapted to carry carbid-receptacles; a cogged or toothed sleeve connected to the said base-plate and extending upwardly therefrom to the outside of the generator; mechanism for raising, lowering and holding said toothed sleeve; a rod connected to the bottom of the said chamber and extending upwardly through the said sleeve; a large tube with a closed top extending upwardly from the top of the generator; a tube extending downwardly from the opening in the top of the tube through which the said sleeve passes; and a tube extending upwardly from the base-plate around the said tube to form with it a water seal, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

15. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber having an open-ended cylinder extending downwardly through its top; a removable cover for said cylinder; at base-plate; means for raising, lowering and turning the said base-plate; two sets of concentric walls carried by the base-plate so as to form two annular waterchambers surrounding two carbid-spaces; and a water-supply pipe so located as to be above one carbid-space when the other is below the aforesaid cylinder, and a cylinder witha closed top extending upwardly from an opening in the top of the generator of such a size as to permit of a carbid-receptacle rising through it when the base-plate is raised, substantially as and for'the purpose specified.

16. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber, and a carbid-receptacle contained therein, in combination with a water-supply pipe extending through the top of the chamber, a tube with closed bottom, into which the said supplypipe dips to form a water seal; an agitator connected to the bottom of said tube and an agitator-rod connected to the agitator and extending through the water-supply pipe to the outside of the generator, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In a machine of the class described, a generator comprising a chamber, and a carbid-receptacle contained therein, in combination with a water-supply pipe extending through the top of thechamber, and a suitably-supported tube with closed bottom, into which the said supply-pipe dips to form a water seal; a down-pipe outside the generator with closed lower end and a cross-tube connecting the upper ends of the water-supply pipe and down-pipe, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

18. In a machine of the class described, a generator; a suitably-supported water-tank; and a gas-holder, in combination with a siphon dipping into the water in the tank, and

provided with an extra upwardl -*-turned leg to form a water seal; a tube or spout adapted to convey the water from the upper end of the water seal to the water-inlet of the generator; and means for raising and lowering the siphon by the rise and fall of the gasdome of the holder so as to automatically control the water-supply, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

19. In a machine of the class described, a generator; a suitably-supported water-tank and a gas-holder,in combination with a siphon dipping into the water in the tank, provided with an upwardly-turned leg to form a water seal and a downwardly-extending tube connected to the upper end of the said leg, an opening being formed above their junction; a down-pipe communicating with the interior of the generator and adapted to receive the downwardly-extending tube of the siphon; and means for raising and lowering the siphon by the rise and fall of the gas-dome of the holder so as to automatically control the water-supply, substantially as and for the pnrpose specified.

20. In a machine of the class described, a generatingchamber provided with a waterinlet and a water-tank as V, in combination with a siphon having a leg d entering said water-tank, a leg as e entering the said waterinlet, and the legs f and g connecting the said legs cl and e, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

21. In a machine of the class described, a generator and a base-plate journaled therein so as to be capable of rotary and vertical movements, in combination with one or more ribs formed on the bottom of the generator, one or more grooves being formed in the under side of the said base-plate to engage with the said ribs, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

22. An agitating mechanism for an air-tight chamber comprising a pipe extendin g through the top of the chamber; a tube with closed bottom into which the said pipe dips to form a water seal; an agitator connected to the bottom of the said tube, and an agitator-rod connected to the agitator and extending through the pipe to the outside of the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

23. In a machine of the class described, a

-gas-dome,in combination with a siphon adapted to control the waters upply; a cord attached at one end to the gas-holder and at its other end to the said siphon; a frame; suitable guide-pulleys arranged thereon; a weighted pulley hung in a bight of the cord between two of the guide-pulleys; a knot formed in the cord between the siphon and the guidepulley through which the cord next passes; and a knot formed in the cord between the said pulley and the weighted pulley, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

24. In a machine of the class described, a gas-dome, in combination with a frame supported above it; a rod connected to the top of the gas-dome and adapted to move through the said frame; a bindingpost electrically connected with the frame; a binding post connected to said frame, but insulated therefrom; a spring supported by the binding-post and adjustable nuts upon the said rod adapted to press the spring in contact with the frame when the gas-h0lder falls too low, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Niagara Falls, March 8, 1897.

JAMES G. KERR.

In presence of J AS. B. GOODWIN, HARRY S. NYLEs. 

